Bioadvantaged nylon: polycondensation of 3-hexenedioic acid with hexamethylenediamine

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I) 
                         
wherein R, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , X, and s are as described herein and salt thereof. Also disclosed is a process of synthesizing such polymers.

This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/253,485, filed Nov. 10, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This invention was made with government support under grant number EEC0813570 awarded by National Science Foundation and DE-AC02-07CH11358 awarded by the Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bioadvantaged nylon: polycondensation of 3-hexenedioic acid with hexamethylenediamine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The global annual market for flexible packaging was nearly $200 billion in 2014, representing well over 2.5 million metric tons of plastics and a major source of waste. Multilayer packaging films (MPFs) comprise a significant fraction of this market; MPFs are assembled from as many as 7 different resins to deliver the net performance characteristics demanded by the diverse variety of packaging applications (e.g. food, medical, electronics). Nylon is a major packaging resin owing to its mechanical strength/toughness and gas barrier properties; however, nylon's adherence to other polymers is notoriously poor. This adhesion may be enhanced through the use of a tie layer, a specially formulated heterogeneous polymer that is designed to efficaciously adhere two otherwise incompatible polymers. Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are also extensively used in the packaging industry. TPEs are heterogeneous polymers that combine hard and soft constituents to create the emergent property of elasticity.

Adipic acid is a monomer derived from petrochemical feedstocks and mainly used for the production of nylon 6,6 (Musser, M. T., “Adipic Acid,” Ullman's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry (2000)). Nylon-6,6 is a polyamide produced from the polycondensation reaction of adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) with a market share of US$20.5 billion in 2013 and US$40 billion by 2020 (Acmite Market Intelligence, “Market Report. Global Polyamide Market,” 521 pp. (December 2014)). Nylon-6,6, a semi-crystalline polymer, is used in numerous applications where high-temperature, solvent-proof, electrically-shielded parts are needed (Sabreen, S., “Adhesive Bonding of Polyamide (Nylon),” Plastics Decorating 2 pp. (2015)). However, nylon 6,6 suffers from some drawbacks that prevents it from being used even further—i.e. poor surface wettability and the hygroscopicity (nylon will absorb moisture >3%/mass of water from the atmosphere) (Sabreen, S., “Adhesive Bonding of Polyamide (Nylon),” Plastics Decorating 2 pp. (2015)).

The present invention is directed to overcoming these and other deficiencies in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to a polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I):

wherein

X is NH or O;

R is independently selected from the group consisting of H and C₁₋₂₀ alkyl;

R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl, —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH, and

wherein each —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl and —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, —SO₃R⁵, —P(O)(OR⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₃ ⁺Hal⁻, and

with the proviso that at least one of R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is not hydrogen;

A and I are independently selected from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴),

H, —Si(R⁶)₃, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl,

B, C, D, E, F, G, and H are independently selected from the group consisting of a bond, C, O, Si, N, or U;

R⁵ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and halogen;

R⁶ is optional, and if present, is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴), H, OH, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, —CN, and phenyl, wherein each phenyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, halogen, —CN, —N(R⁷)₂, —C(O)R⁷, and —C(O)—X—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—XR⁷;

R⁷ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and

U is optional and, if present, is S;

*- is a point of attachment to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴;

is a terminal group of the polymer;

a is 1-1,000,000;

b is 1-1,000,000;

c is 1-1,000,000;

d is 1-1,000,000;

e is 1-1,000,000;

m is 0 to 1,000,000;

n is 0 to 10; and

s is 1 to 50;

or a salt thereof.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I):

wherein

X is NH or O;

R is independently selected from the group consisting of H and C₁₋₂₀ alkyl;

R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl, —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH, and

wherein each —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl and —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, —SO₃R⁵, —P(O)(OR⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₃ ⁺Hal⁻, and

with the proviso that at least one of R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is not hydrogen;

A and I are independently selected from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴),

H, —Si(R⁶)₃, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl,

B, C, D, E, F, G, and H are independently selected from the group consisting of a bond, C, O, Si, N, or U;

R⁵ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and halogen;

R⁶ is optional, and if present, is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴), H, OH, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, —CN, and phenyl, wherein each phenyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, halogen, —CN, —N(R⁷)₂, —C(O)R⁷, and —C(O)—X—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—XR⁷;

R⁷ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and

U is optional and, if present, is —(S)_(p)—;

*- is a point of attachment to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴;

is a terminal group of the polymer;

a is 1-1,000,000;

b is 1-1,000,000;

c is 1-1,000,000;

d is 1-1,000,000;

e is 1-1,000,000;

m is 0 to 1,000,000;

n is 0 to 10;

p is 1 to 8; and

s is 1 to 50;

or a salt thereof.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a process for preparation of a polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I):

wherein

X is NH or O;

R is independently selected from the group consisting of H and C₁₋₂₀ alkyl;

R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl, —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH, and

wherein each —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl and —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, —SO₃R⁵, —P(O)(OR⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₃ ⁺Hal⁻, and

with the proviso that at least one of R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is not hydrogen;

A and I are independently selected from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴),

H, —Si(R⁶)₃, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl,

B, C, D, E, F, G, and H are independently selected from the group consisting of a bond, C, O, Si, N, or U;

R⁵ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and halogen;

R⁶ is optional, and if present, is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴), H, OH, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, —CN, and phenyl, wherein each phenyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, halogen, —CN, —N(R⁷)₂, —C(O)R⁷, and —C(O)—X—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—XR⁷;

R⁷ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and

U is optional and, if present, is S;

*- is a point of attachment to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴;

is a terminal group of the polymer;

a is 1-1,000,000;

b is 1-1,000,000;

c is 1-1,000,000;

d is 1-1,000,000;

e is 1-1,000,000;

m is 0 to 1,000,000;

n is 0 to 10; and

s is 1 to 50;

or a salt thereof.

This process includes:

providing a first intermediate polymeric compound comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (II):

wherein each

is independently a single or a double bond with no adjacent double bonds, and wherein at least one

is a double bond; and forming the polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I) from the first intermediate polymeric compound comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (II).

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a process for preparation of a polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I):

wherein

X is NH or O;

R is independently selected from the group consisting of H and C₁₋₂₀ alkyl;

R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl, —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH, and

wherein each —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl and —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, —SO₃R⁵, —P(O)(OR⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₃ ⁺Hal⁻, and

with the proviso that at least one of R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is not hydrogen;

A and I are independently selected from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴),

H, —Si(R⁶)₃, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl,

B, C, D, E, F, G, and H are independently selected from the group consisting of a bond, C, O, Si, N, or U;

R⁵ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and halogen;

R⁶ is optional, and if present, is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴), H, OH, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, —CN, and phenyl, wherein each phenyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, halogen, —CN, —N(R⁷)₂, —C(O)R⁷, and —C(O)—X—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—XR⁷;

R⁷ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and

U is optional and, if present, is —(S)_(p)—;

*- is a point of attachment to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴;

is a terminal group of the polymer;

a is 1-1,000,000;

b is 1-1,000,000;

c is 1-1,000,000;

d is 1-1,000,000;

e is 1-1,000,000;

m is 0 to 1,000,000;

n is 0 to 10;

p is 1 to 8; and

s is 1 to 50;

or a salt thereof.

This process includes:

providing a first intermediate polymeric compound comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (II):

wherein each

is independently a single or a double bond with no adjacent double bonds, and wherein at least one

is a double bond; and forming the polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I) from the first intermediate polymeric compound comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (II).

The invention permits the production of bioadvantaged nylon-6,6 from 3-hexenedioic acid, adipic acid, and hexamethylenediamine, as well as a standalone nylon-6,6 analog, produced from 3-hexenedioic acid (HDA) and hexamethylenediamine (HMDA). Nylon-6,6 analog has an extra double bond in its backbone that can be used to add functionality, graft-to, control crosslinking rate, act as a blend compatibilizers, etc. The present invention uses unsaturated double bond to crosslink or attach different chemical groups to add properties like elongation, flame resistance, stain resistance, antistatic behavior, reduced hygroscopicity, among others.

Additionally the present invention uses unsaturated double bond to add antibacterial properties, tunable glass transition and melting temperatures, tunable hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the image of the biodvantaged nylon-6,6 (left) and HDA-HMDA polymer (right).

FIG. 2 is a graph showing a Triple Detection elution profile of Nylon 6, HDA using three different detectors (RALS (Right Angle Light Scattering) in green (b), UV/VIS (Ultraviolet/Visible) in blue (c), and RI (Refractive Index) in red (a)-Log MW (Log Molecular Weight) (diagonal line) (d) versus Retention Volume).

FIG. 3 is a X-ray Diffraction (XRD) graph of HDA-HMDA where a crystallization peak can be observed.

FIG. 4 is graph showing results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiment (exothermic up). The DSC displays a melting temperature of 255° C. for nylon 6,6 (a) and 60° C. for unsaturated polyamide 6,6 (UPA 6,6) (b).

FIG. 5 is graph showing results of DSC experiment. The DSC shows a glass transition temperature at around 24° C., a melting temperature at around 160° C., and a crystallization peak at 90° C.

FIG. 6 is the image of samples mounted to cardstock frames.

FIG. 7 is graph showing strain vs. stress curves of the 50/50 bioadvantaged nylon with 1% sulfur as crosslinker.

FIG. 8 is the microscope image of the 50/50 bioadvantaged nylon fiber with 2% by weight of maleic anhydride used to measure the width of then fibers.

FIG. 9 is graph showing strain vs. stress curves of the 50/50 bioadvantaged nylon with no crosslinker.

FIG. 10 is graph showing strain vs. stress curves of the 50/50 bioadvantaged nylon with 2% maleic anhydride as crosslinker.

FIG. 11 is graph showing strain vs. stress curves of the 50/50 bioadvantaged nylon blended with 50 wt % SBS and 1% elemental sulfur.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to a polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I):

wherein

X is NH or O;

R is independently selected from the group consisting of H and C₁₋₂₀ alkyl; R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl, —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH, and

wherein each —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl and —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, —SO₃R⁵, —P(O)(OR⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₃ ⁺Hal⁻, and

with the proviso that at least one of R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is not hydrogen;

A and I are independently selected from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴),

H, —Si(R⁶)₃, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl,

B, C, D, E, F, G, and H are independently selected from the group consisting of a bond, C, O, Si, N, or U;

R⁵ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and halogen;

R⁶ is optional, and if present, is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴), H, OH, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, —CN, and phenyl, wherein each phenyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, halogen, —CN, —N(R⁷)₂, —C(O)R⁷, and —C(O)—X—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—XR⁷;

R⁷ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and

U is optional and, if present, is —(S)_(p)—;

*- is a point of attachment to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴;

is a terminal group of the polymer;

a is 1-1,000,000;

b is 1-1,000,000;

c is 1-1,000,000;

d is 1-1,000,000;

e is 1-1,000,000;

m is 0 to 1,000,000;

n is 0 to 10;

p is 1 to 8; and

s is 1 to 50;

or a salt thereof.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I):

wherein

X is NH or O;

R is independently selected from the group consisting of H and C₁₋₂₀ alkyl;

R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl, —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH, and

wherein each —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl and —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, —SO₃R⁵, —P(O)(OR⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₃ ⁺Hal⁻, and

with the proviso that at least one of R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is not hydrogen;

A and I are independently selected from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴),

H, —Si(R⁶)₃, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl,

B, C, D, E, F, G, and H are independently selected from the group consisting of a bond, C, O, Si, N, or U;

R⁵ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and halogen;

R⁶ is optional, and if present, is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴), H, OH, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, —CN, and phenyl, wherein each phenyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, halogen, —CN, —N(R⁷)₂, —C(O)R⁷, and —C(O)—X—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—XR⁷;

R⁷ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and

U is optional and, if present, is S;

*- is a point of attachment to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴;

is a terminal group of the polymer;

a is 1-1,000,000;

b is 1-1,000,000;

c is 1-1,000,000;

d is 1-1,000,000;

e is 1-1,000,000;

m is 0 to 1,000,000;

n is 0 to 10; and

s is 1 to 50;

or a salt thereof.

The repeating groups in the polymer of formula (I) can be the same or different.

Preferably, the repeating group is present in the polymer of formula (I) in an amount of 2 to 10,000,000.

As used above, and throughout the description herein, the following terms, unless otherwise indicated, shall be understood to have the following meanings. If not defined otherwise herein, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this technology belongs. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for a term herein, those in this section prevail unless stated otherwise.

The term “alkyl” means an aliphatic hydrocarbon group which may be straight or branched having about 1 to about 1010 carbon atoms in the chain. Branched means that one or more lower alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl or propyl are attached to a linear alkyl chain. Exemplary alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, and 3-pentyl.

The term “Hal” or “halogen” means fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo.

The term “substituted” or “substitution” of an atom means that one or more hydrogen on the designated atom is replaced with a selection from the indicated group, provided that the designated atom's normal valency is not exceeded.

“Unsubstituted” atoms bear all of the hydrogen atoms dictated by their valency. When a substituent is keto (i.e., =0), then two hydrogens on the atom are replaced. Combinations of substituents and/or variables are permissible only if such combinations result in stable compounds; by “stable compound” or “stable structure” is meant a compound that is sufficiently robust to survive isolation to a useful degree of purity from a reaction mixture, and formulation into an efficacious therapeutic agent.

The term “optionally substituted” is used to indicate that a group may have a substituent at each substitutable atom of the group (including more than one substituent on a single atom), provided that the designated atom's normal valency is not exceeded and the identity of each substituent is independent of the others. Up to three H atoms in each residue are replaced with alkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, hydroxy, loweralkoxy, carboxy, carboalkoxy (also referred to as alkoxycarbonyl), carboxamido (also referred to as alkylaminocarbonyl), cyano, carbonyl, nitro, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, mercapto, alkylthio, sulfoxide, sulfone, acylamino, amidino, phenyl, benzyl, heteroaryl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, or heteroaryloxy. “Unsubstituted” atoms bear all of the hydrogen atoms dictated by their valency. When a substituent is keto (i.e., =0), then two hydrogens on the atom are replaced. Combinations of substituents and/or variables are permissible only if such combinations result in stable compounds; by “stable compound” or “stable structure” is meant a compound that is sufficiently robust to survive isolation to a useful degree of purity from a reaction mixture, and formulation into an efficacious therapeutic agent.

Compounds described herein may contain one or more asymmetric centers and may thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric forms. Each chiral center may be defined, in terms of absolute stereochemistry, as (R)- or (S)-. The present invention is meant to include all such possible isomers, as well as mixtures thereof, including racemic and optically pure forms. Optically active (R)- and (S)-, (−)- and (+)-, or (D)- and (L)-isomers may be prepared using chiral synthons or chiral reagents, or resolved using conventional techniques. When the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds or other centers of geometric asymmetry, and unless specified otherwise, it is intended that the compounds include both E and Z geometric isomers. Likewise, all tautomeric forms are also intended to be included.

One embodiment relates to the polymer of the present invention where the polymer has 2-10,000,000 repeating groups with the structure of formula (I).

Another embodiment relates to the polymer of the present invention where R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is

and k is 1 to 1,000,000.

Yet another embodiment relates to the polymer of the present invention where R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is

and m is 1 to 999,999.

Another embodiment relates to the polymer of the present invention where R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is

and m is 1 to 999,999.

Yet another embodiment relates to the polymer of the present invention where R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is

and m is 2 to 1000.

A further embodiment relates to the polymer of the present invention where R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is

and m is 1 to 1,000,000.

Another embodiment relates to the polymer of the present invention where R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is

and m is 1 to 1,000,000.

Another embodiment relates to the polymer of the present invention where R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is

a is 1-1,000,000, b is 1-1,000,000, c is 1-1,000,000, d is 1-1,000,000, and e is 1-1,000,000.

In one embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (Ia):

s is 1-50, and k is 1 to 1,000,000.

In another embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (Ib):

and s is 1-50.

In another embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (Ib′):

and s is 1-50.

In yet another embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (Ic):

and s is 1-50.

In yet another embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (Ic′):

and s is 1-50.

In yet another embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (Id):

and s is 1-50.

In yet another embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (Id′):

and s is 1-50.

In a further embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (Ie):

and s is 1-50.

In a further embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (Ie′):

and s is 1-50.

In another embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (If):

and s is 1-50, and t is 2-1000.

In another embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (Ig):

and s is 1-50, and m is 2-1000.

In another embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (Ig′):

and s is 1-50, and m is 2-1000.

In another embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (Ih):

s is 1-50, and m is 2-1000.

In another embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (Ih′):

s is 1-50, and m is 2-1000.

In a further embodiment, the repeating group of the polymer has the structure of formula (Ii):

a is 1-1,000,000, b is 1-1,000,000, c is 1-1,000,000, d is 1-1,000,000, e is 1-1,000,000, and s is 1-50.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a process for preparation of a polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I):

wherein

X is NH or O;

R is independently selected from the group consisting of H and C₁₋₂₀ alkyl;

R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl, —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH, and

wherein each —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl and —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, —SO₃R⁵, —P(O)(OR⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₃ ⁺Hal⁻, and

with the proviso that at least one of R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is not hydrogen;

A and I are independently selected from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴), H,

H, —Si(R⁶)₃, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl,

B, C, D, E, F, G, and H are independently selected from the group consisting of a bond, C, O, Si, N, or U;

R⁵ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and halogen;

R⁶ is optional, and if present, is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴), H, OH, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, —CN, and phenyl, wherein each phenyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, halogen, —CN, —N(R⁷)₂, —C(O)R⁷, and —C(O)—X—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—XR⁷;

R⁷ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and

U is optional and, if present, is —(S)_(p)—;

*- is a point of attachment to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴;

is a terminal group of the polymer;

a is 1-1,000,000;

b is 1-1,000,000;

c is 1-1,000,000;

d is 1-1,000,000;

e is 1-1,000,000;

m is 0 to 1,000,000;

n is 0 to 10;

p is 1 to 8; and

s is 1 to 50;

or a salt thereof.

This process includes:

providing a first intermediate polymeric compound comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (II):

wherein each

is independently a single or a double bond with no adjacent double bonds, and wherein at least one

is a double bond; and forming the polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I) from the first intermediate polymeric compound comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (II).

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a process for preparation of a polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I):

wherein

X is NH or O;

R is independently selected from the group consisting of H and C₁₋₂₀ alkyl;

R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl, —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH, and

wherein each —U—C₁₋₁₀₀₂ alkyl and —U—C₁₋₂₀ alkyl-OH can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, —SO₃R⁵, —P(O)(OR⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₂, —N(R⁵)₃ ⁺Hal⁻, and

with the proviso that at least one of R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is not hydrogen;

A and I are independently selected from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴),

H, —Si(R⁶)₃, C₁₋₂₀ alkyl,

B, C, D, E, F, G, and H are independently selected from the group consisting of a bond, C, O, Si, N, or U;

R⁵ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and halogen;

R⁶ is optional, and if present, is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of a point of attachment (to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴), H, OH, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, —CN, and phenyl, wherein each phenyl and C₁₋₆ alkyl can be optionally substituted 1-4 times with a substituent independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, —OH, halogen, —CN, —N(R⁷)₂, —C(O)R⁷, and —C(O)—X—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—XR⁷;

R⁷ is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, and

U is optional and, if present, is S;

*- is a point of attachment to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴;

is a terminal group of the polymer;

a is 1-1,000,000;

b is 1-1,000,000;

c is 1-1,000,000;

d is 1-1,000,000;

e is 1-1,000,000;

m is 0 to 1,000,000;

n is 0 to 10; and

s is 1 to 50;

or a salt thereof.

This process includes:

providing a first intermediate polymeric compound comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (II):

wherein each

is independently a single or a double bond with no adjacent double bonds, and wherein at least one

is a double bond; and forming the polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I) from the first intermediate polymeric compound comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (II).

The repeating groups in the polymer of formula (I) can be the same or different.

According to the present invention, a polymer comprising a repeating group having the structure of formula (I) may include polymers where some of the repeating units have a chemical structure like that of formula (I) but have a double bond resulting from incomplete conversion of the double bond in the structure of formula (II). That unconverted double bond would correspond to what is identified in the structure of formula (II) by

.

Polymers of the present invention can be prepared according to the schemes described below. Polymer of formula 3 can be prepared by initial polycondensation reaction (oligomer formation) between acid 1 and compound of formula 2 (Scheme 1) followed by post polymerization step (polymer formation). Acid 1 can be a diacid or a mixture of different acids. The initial polycondensation reaction (oligomer formation) can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in water, methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH), isopropanol (i-PrOH), dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The initial polycondensation reaction (oligomer formation) can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 150° C., at a temperature of 40° C. to 90° C., or at a temperature of 50° C. to 70° C. The polymer formation step can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF) or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The final step in the polymerization (polymer formation) reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 20° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 300° C., or at a temperature of 200° C. to 300° C.

Bioadvantaged nylon-6,6 is one of the examples of polymer of formula 3. Bioadvantaged nylon-6,6 (3a) can be prepared by an initial polycondensation reaction (oligomer formation) between 3-hexenedioic acid (HDA) (1a) and hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) (2a) (Scheme 2) followed by post polymerization step (polymer formation). 3-Hexenedioic acid (HDA) (1a) can be used alone or in combination with other acid. For example, a mixture of 3-hexenedioic acid and adipic acid can be used in this reaction. The initial polycondensation reaction (oligomer formation) can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in water, methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH), isopropanol (i-PrOH), dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The initial polycondensation reaction (oligomer formation) can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 150° C., at a temperature of 40° C. to 90° C., or at a temperature of 50° C. to 70° C. The polymer formation step can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF) or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The final step in the polymerization (polymer formation) reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 20° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 300° C., or at a temperature of 200° C. to 300° C.

Crosslinking of the polymer improves elongation (Scheme 3). Crosslinking using elemental sulfur results in formation of C—S—C linkages (U is S). Alternatively, crosslinking can be performed by using free radical mechanism (i.e., in the presence of peroxides, epoxies, or under UV light, heat, or ultrasound), in this case U is absent.

Crosslinking of the bioadvantaged nylon (3a) using elemental sulfur is shown in Scheme 4, The crosslinking reaction can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The crosslinking reaction can also be performed without the solvent. The crosslinking reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 250° C., or at a temperature of 150° C. to 200° C. Sulfur can be present at a concentration of 0.1-10%, at a concentration of 0.5-5%, or at a concentration of 0.5-3%.

Scheme 5 shows crosslinking of the bioadvantaged nylon (3a) by free radical mechanism. The crosslinking reaction can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The crosslinking reaction can also be performed without the solvent. The crosslinking reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 250° C., or at a temperature of 150° C. to 200° C.

Polymer 3b can be modified by using the unsaturated double bond to attach different chemical groups (Scheme 6). Polymer 3b can be reacted with various compounds containing double bonds, such as alkenes and their sulfonic acid derivatives, phosphonic acid derivatives, amine derivatives, as well as various polymers containing double bonds in their side chain. These modifications can add properties like flame resistance, stain resistance, antistatic behavior, and reduced hygroscopicity.

Polymer 6 can be prepared by the reaction of compound 5 with polymer 3b. If this reaction is carried out in the presence of elemental sulfur, C—S—C linkages are formed (U is S) Alternatively, the reaction can be performed in the presence of peroxides, epoxies, or under UV light, heat, or ultrasound (free radical mechanism), in this case U is absent.

Introduction of phosphonic and/or phosphinic acid groups adds flame/stain resistance (Schemes 7-8). Reaction between bioadvantaged nylon (3a) and 2-propene-1-sulfonic acid (5a) in the presence of elemental sulfur is shown in Scheme 7. The reaction can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The reaction can also be performed without the solvent. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 250° C., or at a temperature of 150° C. to 200° C. Sulfur can be present at a concentration of 0.1-10%, at a concentration of 0.5-5%, or at a concentration of 0.5-3%.

Scheme 8 shows free radical reaction between bioadvantaged nylon (3a) and 2-propene-1-sulfonic acid (5a). The reaction can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The reaction can also be performed without the solvent. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 250° C., or at a temperature of 150° C. to 200° C.

Phosphonic and/or phosphinic acid groups add flame/strain resistance. Reaction between bioadvantaged nylon (3a) and vinylphosphonic acid (5b) in the presence of elemental sulfur is shown in Scheme 9. The reaction can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The reaction can also be performed without the solvent. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 250° C., or at a temperature of 150° C. to 200° C. Sulfur can be present at a concentration of 0.1-10%, at a concentration of 0.5-5%, or at a concentration of 0.5-3%.

Scheme 10 shows free radical reaction between bioadvantaged nylon (3a) and vinylphosphonic acid (5b). The reaction can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The reaction can also be performed without the solvent. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 250° C., or at a temperature of 150° C. to 200° C.

Introduction of quaternary ammonium salts adds antistatic behavior. Reaction between bioadvantaged nylon (3a) and allyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (5c) in the presence of elemental sulfur is shown in Scheme 11. The reaction can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The reaction can also be performed without the solvent. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 250° C., or at a temperature of 150° C. to 200° C. Sulfur can be present at a concentration of 0.1-10%, at a concentration of 0.5-5%, or at a concentration of 0.5-3%.

Scheme 12 shows free radical reaction between bioadvantaged nylon (3a) and allyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (5c). The reaction can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The reaction can also be performed without the solvent. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 250° C., or at a temperature of 150° C. to 200° C.

Polymer 8 can be prepared by the reaction of compound 7 with polymer 3b (Scheme 13). If this reaction is carried out in the presence of elemental sulfur, C—S—C linkages are formed (U is S). Alternatively, the reaction can be performed in the presence of peroxides, or under UV light, heat, or ultrasound (free radical mechanism), in this case U is absent.

Schemes 14-15 show reaction of bioadvantaged nylon-6,6 (3a) with glycidyl trimethylammonium (7a). The reaction can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The reaction can also be performed without the solvent. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 250° C., or at a temperature of 150° C. to 200° C. Sulfur can be present at a concentration of 0.1-10%, at a concentration of 0.5-5%, or at a concentration of 0.5-3%.

Introduction of long hydrocarbon groups adds hydrophobicity and soil resistance. Schemes 16-17 show reaction of bioadvantaged nylon-6,6 (3a) with pentadec-1-ene (5d). The reaction can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The reaction can also be performed without the solvent. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 250° C., or at a temperature of 150° C. to 200° C. Sulfur can be present at a concentration of 0.1-10%, at a concentration of 0.5-5%, or at a concentration of 0.5-3%.

Polysiloxanes/fluorocarbons can be used as softening agents or for surface lubrication. Schemes 18-19 show reaction of bioadvantaged nylon-6,6 (3a) with monovinyl terminated polydimethyl siloxane (5e). The reaction can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The reaction can also be performed without the solvent. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 250° C., or at a temperature of 150° C. to 200° C. Sulfur can be present at a concentration of 0.1-10%, at a concentration of 0.5-5%, or at a concentration of 0.5-3%.

Schemes 20-21 show reaction between bioadvantaged nylon-6,6 (3a) and fluoroethylene alkyl vinyl ether (Lumiflon) (5f). The reaction can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The reaction can also be performed without the solvent. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 250° C., or at a temperature of 150° C. to 200° C. Sulfur can be present at a concentration of 0.1-10%, at a concentration of 0.5-5%, or at a concentration of 0.5-3%.

Addition of other polymers leads to toughening. Schemes 22-23 show reaction between bioadvantaged nylon-6,6 (3a) and ABS (5g). The reaction can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The reaction can also be performed without the solvent. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 250° C., or at a temperature of 150° C. to 200° C. Sulfur can be present at a concentration of 0.1-10%, at a concentration of 0.5-5%, or at a concentration of 0.5-3%.

Schemes 24-25 show reaction between bioadvantaged nylon-6,6 (3a) and Styrene-Butadiene-Syrene (SBS) (5h). The reaction can be performed in a variety of solvents, for example in phenols, cresols, hexafluoro-isopropanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), or other such solvents or in the mixture of such solvents. The reaction can also be performed without the solvent. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C., at a temperature of 100° C. to 250° C., or at a temperature of 150° C. to 200° C. Sulfur can be present at a concentration of 0.1-10%, at a concentration of 0.5-5%, or at a concentration of 0.5-3%.

In one embodiment, the process further includes providing a second intermediate compound of formula (III):

wherein each

is independently a single or a double bond with no adjacent double bonds, and wherein at least one

is a double bond; and forming the first intermediate polymeric compound from the second intermediate compound.

In another embodiment, the second intermediate compound of formula (III) is provided as a blend of hexenedioic acid (HDA)/adipic acid. Both 2-hexenedioic acid and 3-hexenedioic acid and their cis and trans isomers can be used in accordance with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, trans 3-hexenedioic acid is used. In another embodiment, the process further includes providing muconic acid and forming the second intermediate compound from the muconic acid. In accordance with the present invention, forming is carried out by electrocatalytic hydrogenation of the muconic acid, as described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2016/077361 to Tessonnier et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In particular, 3-hexene-1,6-dioic acid, 2-hexene-1,6-dioic acid, adipic acid, or a combination thereof can be prepared from muconic acid by an electrocatalytic method (International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2016/077361 to Tessonnier et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). This method can include passing current through a catalytic cathode in a reactor including an aqueous acidic solution of muconic acid, a supporting electrolyte, and an anode, so as to generate atomic hydrogen on the cathode surface in an amount effective to hydrogenate the muconic acid to yield a product including 3-hexene-1,6-dioic acid, 2-hexene-1,6-dioic acid, adipic acid, or a mixture thereof (International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2016/077361 to Tessonnier et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety).

In another embodiment, the process further includes providing glucose and forming muconic acid from the glucose. In accordance with the present invention, forming is carried out by fermenting the glucose, as described in the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/253,432 to Shao et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In particular, an isolated yeast strain, the genome of which is augmented with a recombinant DNA construct comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a multifunctional ARO1 variant with the DHS/shikimate dehydrogenase subunit having an amino acid residue at position 1409 that is not D (aspartic acid) or is not glutamic acid (E) which variant has decreased activity or lacks activity relative to an pentafunctional ARO1 having an amino acid residue at position 1409 that is D or E, which strain exogenously expresses one or more enzymes that catalyze the production of MA from dehydroshikimate acid, in a fermentation medium; can be incubated in the medium under controlled temperature and dissolved limited oxygen conditions, to yield a composition comprising muconic acid (U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/253,432 to Shao et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety).

EXAMPLES Example 1—Synthesis of Nylon 6,6

The polycondensation reaction between trans-3-hexenedioic acid and hexamethylenediamine was adapted from the synthesis of nylon 6,6 [U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,653 to Eckell et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,260 to Larsen, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety]. Detailed, trans-3-hexenedioic acid was purchased from TCI America, dissolved in methanol, and mixed with a 1:1 mole ratio of hexamethylenediamine dissolved in methanol. The resulting solution was heated in a round bottom flask at 60° C. The liquid was decanted from the precipitated salt. The precipitated salt was subsequently washed with methanol, decanted, and left to dry in a fume hood. To further polymerize the salt formed, 6.08 g was massed and mixed with 7.07 mL of deionized water. The resulting solution was put in an aluminum weigh pan and heated at 7.5° C./min to 250° C. in a tube furnace under flowing ultra-high purity nitrogen. The sample dwelled at the temperature for 30 min before cooling (FIG. 1). Differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, gel-permeation chromatography, rheology, X-ray diffraction, and cross-polarizing bed were used to disseminate distinct properties of the polymers (FIG. 3 and FIG. 4).

Example 2—Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC)

Analysis of the samples was done by Polyanalytik. Analysis was performed in 0.05 M potassium trifluoroacetate salt in hexafluoro-isopropanol (HFIP). Samples were left to dissolve for 24 hours at room temperature under gentle shaking and subsequently injected into a Viscotek TDA302 and GPCmax (ViscoGEl (Inert Mixed-Bed High Molecular Weight GPC Column & Inert Mixed-Bed Low Molecular Weight GPC Column)) with triple detection analysis. Triple detection analysis consisted of a refractive index, right angle and low angle light scattering, and a four-capillary differential viscometer in series (FIG. 2). The absolute molecular weight of Unsaturated PA 6,6 was calculated using a do/dc value of 0.235 mL/g, and the results of this analysis are set forth in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Triple Detection GPC Results of Triplicate Injections of Nylon Samples. V_(peak) M_(n) M_(w) M_(z) M_(w)/M_(a) [η] R_(h) M-H M-H Sample ID Injection (mL) (Da) (Da) (Da) (PDI) (dl/g) (nm) α Log K Nylon 6, 1 14.831 11,516 40,156 237,526 3.487 0.3142 5.124 0.525 −2.823 DHA 2 14.826 10,255 39,336 349,171 3.836 0.3131 5.057 0.519 −2.794 3 14.819 14,941 41,165 175,890 2.755 0.3097 5.24 0.551 −2.961 Average 14.8253 12,237 40,219 254,196 3.359 0.3123 5.14 0.532 −2.859 σ 0.0049 1,980 748 71,717 0.450 0.0019 0.08 0.014 0.073 % RSD 0.03% 16.18% 1.86% 28.21% 13.40% 0.61% 1.47% 2.61% 2.55% NOTE: GPC results were determined using a dn/dc value of 0.235 mL/g for Nylon 6,6 in HFIP. Average recovery of all injections was 101.05 ± 0.72%.

Example 3—Synthesis of Bioadvantaged Nylon 6,6

A bioadvantaged nylon-6,6 was synthesized by polycondensation reaction between 3-hexenedioic acid, adipic acid, and hexamethylenediamine. Detailed, trans-3-hexenedioic acid dissolved in methanol and mixed with a 1:1 mol ratio of adipic acid subsequently the mixture of 3-hexenedioic acid and adipic acid were mixed at a 1:1 mol ratio with hexamethylenediamine dissolved in methanol. The resulting solution was heated in a round bottom flask at 60° C. The liquid was decanted from the precipitated salt. The precipitated salt was subsequently washed with methanol, decanted, and left to dry in a fume hood. To polymerize the salt formed mixed with deionized water. The resulting solution was put in an aluminum weigh pan and heated at 7.5° C./min to 250° C. in a tube furnace under flowing ultra-high purity nitrogen. The sample dwelled at the temperature for 30 min before cooling (FIG. 1). Dynamic scanning calorimeter was done on the sample (FIG. 5).

Example 4-50/50 Bioadvantaged Nylon with 1% Elemental Sulfur

Five grams of the 25% 3-hexenedioic acid, 25% hexamethylenediamine, and 50% adipic acid were melted at 165° C. and compounded for 5 minutes with 1% or 2% elemental sulfur (crosslinking agent) prior to being extruded and spun into 0.1-0.5 mm diameter fibers using a DSM-Xplore fiber spinner. For tensile testing in accordance with ASTM D3822, the samples were mounted to cardstock frames with BSI 5 minute curing epoxy (FIG. 6). The assembled frames had gage lengths of 10 mm. The diameter of the extruded and spun fibers was determined using a LEICA DM4000 with a 20× objective lens. The samples were then tested in an Instron 5569 load frame at a strain rate of 10⁻³ s⁻¹ (FIG. 7).

Example 5—50/50 Bioadvantaged Nylon Fiber with 2% by Weight of Maleic Anhydride

Five grams of the 25% 3-hexenedioic acid, 25% hexamethylenediamine, and 50% adipic acid were melted at 165° C. and compounded for 5 minutes with 1% or 2% maleic anhydride (crosslinking agent) prior to being extruded and spun into 0.1-0.5 mm diameter fibers using a DSM-Xplore fiber spinner. For tensile testing in accordance with ASTM D3822, the samples were mounted to cardstock frames with BSI 5 minute curing epoxy. The assembled frames had gage lengths of 10 mm. The diameter of the extruded and spun fibers was determined using a LEICA DM4000 with a 20× objective lens (FIG. 8). The samples were then tested in an Instron 5569 load frame at a strain rate of 10⁻³ s⁻¹.

The addition of maleic anhydride (MA) resulted in an increase in the average elastic modulus from 130 MPa with no MA to 160 MPa with 1 wt % MA and 460 MPa with 2 wt % MA (FIGS. 9 and 10).

Example 6—50/50 Bioadvantaged Nylon Blended with 50 wt % SBS and 1% Elemental Sulfur

Five grams of the 25% 3-hexenedioic acid, 25% hexamethylenediamine, and 50% adipic acid were melted at 165° C. and compounded for 5 minutes with 1% elemental sulfur (crosslinking agent) and 50% by weight of Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) block co-polymer prior to being extruded and spun into 0.5 mm diameter fibers using a DSM-Xplore fiber spinner. The samples were then tested in an Instron 5569 load frame at a strain rate of 10⁻³ s⁻¹. The addition of SBS resulted in an increase in the average strain from 20% with no MA to 300% with 50 wt % SBS (FIG. 11).

Although preferred embodiments have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow. 

What is claimed:
 1. A homopolymer having the structure of formula (I):

wherein

is a repeating group of the homopolymer; X is NH or O; R is independently selected from the group consisting of H and C₁₋₂₀ alkyl; R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of H and

with the proviso that at least one of R¹, R², R³, or R⁴ is not hydrogen; U is optional and, if present, is —(S)_(p)—; *- is a point of attachment to formula (I) or R¹, R², R³, or R⁴;

is a terminal group of the polymer; k is 1 to 1,000,000; p is 1 to 8; z is 45.8 to 10,000,000; and s is 1 to 50; or a salt thereof.
 2. The homopolymer according to claim 1, wherein the repeating group has the structure of formula (Ia):

s is 1-50, and k is 1 to 1,000,000.
 3. The homopolymer according to claim 1, wherein z is from 51.4 to 10,000,000.
 4. The homopolymer according to claim 1, wherein z is from 66.7 to 10,000,000.
 5. The homopolymer according to claim 1, wherein z is from 175.6 to 10,000,000.
 6. The homopolymer according to claim 1, wherein z is from 179.3 to 10,000,000.
 7. The homopolymer according to claim 1, wherein z is from 183.8 to 10,000,000.
 8. The homopolymer according to claim 1, wherein z is from 785.2 to 10,000,000.
 9. The homopolymer according to claim 1, wherein z is from 1060.4 to 10,000,000.
 10. The homopolymer according to claim 1, wherein z is from 1558.8 to 10,000,000. 